Stage 13: Loudenvielle > Peyragudes (July 18)

2025 TOUR DE FRANCE STAGE 13

Stage 13: Loudenvielle → Peyragudes (11  km ITT · 650 m+)

Today the peloton faces a feared hill climb time trial, a high‑octane test bound to shake up the overall standings. After 2–3 km of flat in Loudenvielle, riders turn onto the 8 km ascent averaging around 7.8 %, before tackling a brutal final kilometre that spikes to 13–16 % straight up a wildly unique airport runway.

We’d rather ride up this than land a plane here 🫣

Loudenvielle sits in the scenic Louron Valley, a tranquil ski-resort town with a thermally rich history and a backdrop of snow-capped peaks and lakes. It has seen Tour action before, when Laurent Brochard won here in 1997 on Bastille Day wearing the polka-dots.

The ascent to Peyragudes climbs from roughly 960 m to over 1600 m at the ski station. The steepest quarter-mile hits 11.4 %, and the toughest continuous mile averages 8.7 %. This is a relentlessly steep grind that rewards and punishes in equal measure - no place for a time trial bike.

General classification favorites and punching climbers will eye this point. Remco Evenepoel is arguably the best rider for this discipline considering his mix of power and climbing prowess.  Tadej Pogačar’s time trial strength combined with certain GC flair makes him a prime candidate, while Jonas Vingegaard must ride smart to limit damage.

The KOM standings could also be shaken. A clear ride to the finish could allow Evenepoel or Pogačar to pick up significant time and points. However, the polka-dot jersey remains within reach of riders who avoid cracks and lose only seconds.

This is a stage of glory or disaster. It’s loud, personal, and pure. Expect solitary efforts drenched in drama - riders suffering in front of the cameras as they seek victory or survival. The gaps may be small in real terms, but for morale and momentum, they’ll feel enormous.

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COMMENTS FROM RACE DIRECTOR CHRISTIAN PRUDHOMME - STAGE 13:

“The Peyragudes climb has developed quite a reputation, particularly the final few hundred metres that give access to the altiport, where the Tour favourites have been scattered as they make their very last effort up to the line. Always formidable, there won’t be the slightest opportunity for any respite in this time trial up this steep ascent. The riders will have barely two kilometres to gain momentum before they’re onto the climb of the Peyresourde.” (Tour de France Stage 13).

KOM Corner

Official post-race summary for Stage 13 (from letour.fr)

On the day after he rose to power at Hautacam, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) doubled up with yet another dominant performance to Peyragudes. Already a winner at the ski resort in 2022, the Slovenian 3-time winner of the Tour de France dominated the uphill time trial held on the same slopes, matching his record at La (Super) Planche des Belles Filles, where he also won an ITT (2020) and a road stage (2022). Pogacar brings his tally to 21 Tour stage wins, with 9 of these successes coming in the Pyrenees. He’s also dominated the last six finishes atop category 1 or HC climbs. As for the overall standings, he claims his 46th Maillot Jaune and pushes his lead over Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) to 4’07’’ while Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) had another tough day and now trails by 7’24’’. The peloton remain in the Pyrenees to face a very different challenge on Saturday, with four major ascents en route to Luchon-Superbagnères.

The riders kicking off the stage are mainly concerned with avoiding elimination. Fortunately for them, the time limits have been raised to 40% on this occasion instead of the 33% initially planned.

Plapp goes hard

Matteo Vercher sets an initial benchmark time (30’01’’) that is quickly beaten by Jordi Meeus (29’32’’), and then by Roel van Sintmaartensdijk (29’12’’). The race then enters a different phase with the arrival of young climber Lennert Van Eetvelt, the first rider to break the 28-minute barrier (27’49’’).

The Lotto rider then ceded the hot seat to Luke Plapp, who combined the qualities of a rouleur and a climber, which he had already demonstrated in Paris-Nice in 2024 (6th). Reaching the top of the final ramp with a time of 24'58" (26.2 km/h), the Australian champion takes a comfortable lead in the provisional standings.

Roglic takes the hot seat, Pogacar takes it all

On the hunt for KOM points, Lenny Martinez (Bahrain Victorious) looks like he’s having a great day. The French youngster only trails by 9’’ halfway through the ascent but he falters on the final gradients and crosses the line with a gap of 23’’. It’s a similar situation for Adam Yates, trailing by 4’’ at the 2nd intermediate checkpoint (km 7.6) and 17’’ on the line.

As the GC contenders set off, Plapp’s lead is under threat. He resists Matteo Jorgenson (+5’’) but Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) edges him out of the hot seat. The Slovenian proves to be the third strongest man on the day, ahead of his teammate Florian Lipowitz, 36 seconds behind him.

Ahead, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) delivers another strong performance: 23’00’’ (28.4 km/h). Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) is his closest rival (+36’’), crossing the line just before Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step), who had another tough day (12th, +2’39’’).